Mecklenburg County Blog

Category: County History

County History

Second Ward High School: A Legacy Beyond Time

Comments Off on Second Ward High School: A Legacy Beyond Time

Alumni, their children, grandchildren and hundreds of people from the community gathered to celebrate Second Ward High School’s 100th anniversary on July 15, 2023. As Charlotte’s first high school for Black students, the school opened its doors in 1923 during a time of segregation. Although most of the original school no longer stands, the spirit and impact of Second Ward High School continue to resonate within the community.

Continue Reading
Comments Off on Second Ward High School: A Legacy Beyond Time
County History

Saving Our History Five Steps at a Time

Comments Off on Saving Our History Five Steps at a Time

Written with Elizabeth Stuart, Senior Administrative Support, Historic Landmarks Commission

Historic preservation helps tell the present the story of the past. Literally. When we preserve a landmark, we help save the story it holds. I mean, what’s cooler than being able to SEE history?  

Historic preservation preserves, conserves and protects buildings, objects, landscapes or other places with historical significance. Since 1973, our Historic Landmarks Commission has preserved more than 360 landmarks in the County! Here are five facts you might not know about historic preservation. 

Continue Reading
Comments Off on Saving Our History Five Steps at a Time
County History

Latta Place Gets A New Outlook Thanks To Community Partners

Comments Off on Latta Place Gets A New Outlook Thanks To Community Partners

Latta Place, formerly known as Historic Latta Plantation, closed to the public last June. This move came after Mecklenburg County chose not to renew its contract with the nonprofit responsible for operating the site.

The Huntersville farm has served as a marker of life in the 1800s for more than 200 years. The site was also a painful reminder of a period in history during which approximately 10.7 million Africans were brought to the Americas and enslaved.

When Latta Place reopens, Mecklenburg County hopes to offer a space for residents to visit that tells the story of all who lived at the farm, particularly the stories of those who were enslaved.

Continue Reading
Comments Off on Latta Place Gets A New Outlook Thanks To Community Partners
County History County Manager

County Leadership Past and Present Makes Women’s History

Comments Off on County Leadership Past and Present Makes Women’s History

Edited 3/15/23 to include late Commissioner Ella B. Scarborough.

The County has a long history of trailblazing women whose leadership, strength, courage, and achievements help shape our organization. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re recognizing some of the women who have made those invaluable contributions.

Continue Reading
Comments Off on County Leadership Past and Present Makes Women’s History
Around Town County History Education Environment Resources

Seven Ways the County Can Be Your Best Homeschool Helper

Comments Off on Seven Ways the County Can Be Your Best Homeschool Helper

Updated September 2, 2022

Homeschool doesn’t just mean learning at home. One of the major benefits is flexibility about where and how your family can expand their minds! Mecklenburg County has a lot of resources for supplementing your child’s education. With 21 departments, there are endless ways to make Mecklenburg County a homeschool helper. Maybe you’ve seen our best kept secrets and that got your brain going. Well here are seven more options to get you started: 

Continue Reading
Comments Off on Seven Ways the County Can Be Your Best Homeschool Helper
County History

Un ‘Seal’ed: The Story of the Mecklenburg County Seal

Comments Off on Un ‘Seal’ed: The Story of the Mecklenburg County Seal

Mecklenburg County seal

The Mecklenburg County seal can be found on everything from letterhead to buildings. But what are all of those little images that make up the seal? And an even better question, why are they a part of it? And while we’re at it, how did we even end up with a County seal?

It may be best to start at the beginning. Sometime around the late ‘50s to early ‘60s, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored a contest to design a County seal – something that represented the County’s history, its growth and its future. The winning design, and the one that adorns the side of the County Courthouse, vehicles, signs and numerous other things, was designed by Harvey Boyd, an employee in the Art Department of the Charlotte Observer. The Board of County Commissioners officially adopted it in 1964.

 

Continue Reading

Comments Off on Un ‘Seal’ed: The Story of the Mecklenburg County Seal

Type on the field below and hit Enter/Return to search